MINUTES OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND COMMITTEE BUSINESS MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 2017 @ 10:00 am AT BIG LOTTERY FUND, BELFAST Committee Julie Harrison - NI Chair Sandra McNamee - NI committee member Michael Dobbins - NI committee member Eileen Mullan - NI committee member Charles Mack - NI committee member Big Lottery Fund Joanne McDowell - Northern Ireland Director Amanda Doherty - Head of Communications & Press Alison Fraser - Senior Head of Funding Michael Liggett - Head of Knowledge & Learning Adam Duffin - Grant Accountant (for item 5) Jennifer McCoppin - Corporate Team Manager (for item 6) Gillian Irvine - Funding Officer (for item 6) Jane McDowell - Communications Officer (for item 6) Iain McAfee - Funding Officer (for item 6) Jacqui Maxwell - Corporate Officer (Governance & minutes) External Guests Building Change Trust (for item 8) Nigel McKinney - Director of Operations Bill Osborne - Chairperson Michael Wilson - Protector Martin McCarthy - BCT Board member Margaret Henry - BCT Board member John Peto - BCT Board member Joe McVey - BCT Board member 1. OPENING REMARKS & UPDATES 1.1 Welcome The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all attendees. 1.2 Corporate Updates a) December UK Board Meeting The Chair reported on some of the main agenda items as follows: Data update Brand and culture Income Five draft corporate objectives 1
b) December UK Funding Meeting Michael Dobbins, UK Funding committee member reported back on the December meeting and summarised some of the decisions made. He outlined a matter that had arisen from the meeting and would keep committee updated on any developments. It was also reported that improvements had been by having earlier pipeline discussions with countries and applicant information was being shared proactively through meetings with Yvonne Campbell, UK Funding Senior Portfolio Manager and Joanne McDowell. c) Visit to Belfast Nat Sloane, Chair of the England Committee had expressed an interest in attending a NI committee decision meeting next year to witness examples of how Northern Ireland was putting people in the lead. It was thought that attending an Empowering Young People meeting might be the most appropriate. ACTION: Chair/J. McDowell 2. APOLOGIES & DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 2.1 Tony Doherty, Northern Ireland Committee member, Deirdre Barker Head of Corporate Management and Sorcha McMackin Boardroom Apprentice. 2.2 There were no declarations of interest. 3. GOVERNANCE & VERBAL UPDATES 3.1 Previous Minutes & Actions from the Meeting on 20 October 2017 The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair. 3.2 Matters Arising and Actions Alison Fraser reported as follows: a) Trustees Update The Fund s risk and control matrix only requires two Directors for standard grants, but this will be reviewed through our assessment of the organisation s governance on a case by case basis as two may not always be adequate for the size of grant/scope of work. b) Women s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey Funding colleagues had visited the project and were reassured as they were able to provide case studies which outlined the impact of the project. It was also recognised that some projects view staff or committee members visiting in different ways. This learning will be taken forward to make projects more aware that these types of visits are not formal meetings and are about having a conversation. The Chair also confirmed that there could be project re-visits by committee members and this will be kept under review. c) Acorn Fund/Change Something The External Delegation Agreement (EDA) had been drafted and shared with Acorn Fund, and committee will be kept updated. Grants will not be made until the end of next year at the earliest, but the Fund will work with them throughout next year to finalise the Agreement. 2
d) Direct Payments This matter will be covered by staff later in the agenda under the NI Portfolio Overview item. 3.3 Northern Ireland Objectives - Q2 Review Committee noted the review and commentary. They agreed this new visual way of reporting showed the objectives in a clear cut and easy to understand format. 3.4 NI Committee Meetings Timetable 2018 Committee noted the dates. Jacqui Maxwell reported that the date for the May Board and Country Committee away day had still to be confirmed. Committee also noted the Bringing the Outside In list for 2018. 4. COMMITTEE MEMBER MEETINGS, EVENTS & VISIT UPDATES 4.1 Committee members and staff reported back as follows: EYP meeting 8 December Eileen Mullan and Alison Fraser reported that it had been a good meeting and that feedback had been given to the three unsuccessful projects. The two new young people in the lead group members had contributed well to the meeting and committee were now mindful to give staff a steer on whether they wanted unsuccessful projects to resubmit. UK Portfolio - Michael Dobbins reported back on his visit to the Belfast Hills Partnership, Our Bright Future project. The Chair reported on her attendance at the Wildlife Trust Awards/Grassroots Challenge event at W5 and the Impact of Alcohol grant holders event. 5. GRANTS BUDGET PROGRESS REPORT 5.1 Committee noted the report and Adam Duffin highlighted the key areas for consideration including: Current position and progress Flexed budget Committee considerations (unallocated grant budget to 2022/23 and pattern of payments). 5.2 The Chair thanked Adam for his very clear budget paper. 6. NORTHERN IRELAND PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW 6.1 The Chair welcomed the portfolio team to the meeting. 6.2 Jennifer McCoppin reported on funding matters as follows: Funding overview 2017-18 Applications, awards and pipeline October to December. December committee and panel decisions for EYP and People s Projects 3
- Jennifer also updated committee on the ongoing work around communications and messaging for the lower range grants, the EYP pipeline developments, success rates and possible country flexibility for People Project s. 6.3 Gillian Irvine, Jane McDowell and Michael Liggett reported on the Reaching Out Supporting Families programme as follows: Additional funding process Additional funding event Programme partnerships Communications support - Sandra McNamee who attended the additional funding event, reported that people had come ready to talk and be upfront. Discussions went really well and although this was very early for some projects, it is never too early to start thinking about evaluation. - Joanne McDowell confirmed there had been great collaboration discussions around the various tables, which had been structured for similar type projects. Committee thought there was great value in convening and creating a space for people to interact and network. - Michael Liggett confirmed that in relation to the ROSF partnerships slide, there will be a more substantial piece of work around the various data presented to committee at the February meeting. This will include interconnection opportunities to convene in a more intelligent way. 6.4 Iain McAfee reported on Exploring New Ways of Working as follows: Self-directed support (direct payments) Local area working What people have told us - Committee noted the update on direct payments and how this could impact on projects. Funding Officers will need to have upfront assessment conversations on this matter as it could be an alternative funding option for some VCSE organisations. - South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust had produced a Self-Directed Support Toolkit and the link will be circulated to committee for information. ACTION: J. Maxwell - Iain also updated committee on local area working and that it meant Funding Officers were out and about a lot more talking to people on the ground and discovering what the key issues were. Mapping was on-going and One Note software was being used to capture data and we also have an external contact sheets, which keeps everyone updated and connected as One Team. It was also recognised that there were different dynamics across the various councils and a document showing the Mid and East Antrim area findings was tabled. This covered population facts and figures; grants; community development, planning and other considerations for the Big Lottery Fund. 6.5 Gillian Irvine & Jane McDowell reported on Collaborative Working as follows: Impact of Alcohol event 5 quick wins Empowering Young People celebration event Well-being campaign 4
- Committee agreed that leading on convening was something organisations wanted the Fund to continue. We were in the right place with this and would be further developed in the coming year. - Committee were shown a short film, which showed collaborative working in action undertaken by the Beat Carnival in West Belfast. This was filmed and edited by Bronagh Diamond, Big Lottery Fund Communications Officer. They also listened to an AfA telephone call to a successful applicant. - The EYP celebration event had been very successful and some members of the young people in the lead group had helped to facilitate on the day. 6.6 Committee Feedback Committee members thought the NI Portfolio Overview presentation had a good mix of slides, styles and interactive discussion. It was really good to hear from the various staff and promoted the One Team ethos across the Northern Ireland office. It was confirmed that this reporting will be on a rota basis so that all members of staff can get involved. Committee were happy to continue with the current format and also really liked the various data now being produced, which was helping to make informed decisions. 7. BUILDING CHANGE TRUST PRESENTATION 7.1 The Chair welcomed all the BCT attendees to the meeting. 7.2 Nigel McKinney presented to committee as follows: What BCT has achieved Collaboration NI Social Finance Inspiring Impact Civic & Social Innovation Learning Legacy VCSE Futures 7.3 The main discussion points were as follows: a) It had been impossible for BCT to solve all the problems in the sector, but had looked at the issues around civic innovation and active citizenship to highlight where the sector was. b) The sector can be set in its ways and the jargon and language used was a challenge, which the Trust sought to improve. c) The Trust agitated a number of matters, but exposed rather than repaired. d) Various consultations had been undertaken e) Inspiring impact had emerged quickly, but the civic innovation aspect took longer. f) In the Trust s final year communication will be very important and it will crucial to be clear around messaging on what the Trust had achieved. g) Who will take forward the work in the future after BCT has come to an end? There was a shelf life for the Trust and it will not sustain as an organisation but it is hoped that various organisations will take forward some of the concepts. h) The 10 million endowment format worked and the Fund put its trust in BCT to deliver. As a result the sector has become more ready for this type of investment. i) It is uncertain what will happen in the next 3-5 years. The impact of assets and resources has changed a lot in the previous 4-5 years. 5
j) Dormant Accounts of approximately 8 million have still to be confirmed and agreed regarding timings and delivery. It would be very beneficial to be able to announce something in relation to the government position at the final Trust event in October 2018. k) Expectations and the need for support will always be required for the VCSE, but there needs to be societal change and not a continuation of the same thing. There are many different types of organisations in the sector and it is hard to manage all their expectations. No one is working on the civic and social innovation side of things to ensure the sector moves on from remaining just a steady state, but there is potential that CFNI may take this on as a strategic objective. 7.4 There were two important matters to reflect on going forward: 1) Big Lottery funded the methodology for the sector to look at itself. It created a space, which was a bold step and this needs to be replicated in the future to change mindsets. 2) Allocating 10 million upfront gave a sense of power to BCT and the freedom to get on with the job. 7.5 The Chair thanked BCT for coming to the meeting and giving committee a comprehensive update on the Trust s work. It was agreed that there will be further opportunities to engage next year. 8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 8.1 Rank Foundation Michael Liggett updated committee on the recent Rank Foundation interviews, which Norrie Breslin had been involved in. These were for returnerships rather than internships, as they were for adults returning to the workplace. Norrie will keep committee updated. 8.2 Forthcoming February Meetings People & Communities Thursday 1 st EYP Friday 9 th NIC business meeting Friday 16 th The meeting closed at 12:30 Signed: Northern Ireland Chair Date: 6